Atomizer



Feb. 7, 1956 Filed April 25, 1952 J.,R. RHINEHART ETAL ATOMIZER 3Sheets-Sheet, 1

John JQ hz'nebart BY Char/BSS rig/Q ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1956 J, R,RHlNEHART ET AL 2,733,961

ATOMIZER 3 Sheets-Sheen 2 Filed April 25, 1952 Feb. 7, `1956 1, R,RHlNEHAR-r ET AL 2,733,961

ATOMIZER 3 Sheets-Sheer. 3

Filed April 25, 1952 Flea @o Lm m a mh N E I 76 BY C bar/@5 i1. ,E5/Wick9%@ #dr .ATTORNEY FIG? r- 2,733,961 ice Patented Feb. 7, 1956 ATOMIZERJohn R. Rhinehart, Ridgewood, and Charles H. Eshrich, Hasbrouck Heights,N. J., assignors to logue Eiectrie Manufacturing Co., a corporation ofNew Jersey Application April 25, 1952, Serial No. 284,224

3 Claims. (Cl. 299-118) This invention relates to improved atomizermeans.

An object of this invention is to provide improved atomizer meansadapted to modify the path of a moving stream of liquid in a manner tofacilitate the subdivision of such liquid into extremely minuteparticles.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved atomizer meansparticularly adapted to respond to control means whereby the operationand orifice size of the atomizer means may be automatically controlled.

Another object of this invention is to provide atomizer means havingmultiple orifices which may be regulated as to their operatingdimensions and are of self cleaning construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide atomizer meansparticularly adapted to atomize liquids carrying entrained gases intoparticles of such size that a maximum amount of the entrained gases maybe separated from the liquid.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter described, and of which thescope of invention will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown illustrative embodimentsof the invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of liquid treating apparatus includingatomizing means embodying the invention, with parts cut away and partsin section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical enlarged sectional view of a portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the atomizer and associatedactuating means, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical elevational View of a modified form of theatomizer, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of another form of the atomizer; Fig.7 is a vertical section of a portion thereof, taken on line 7 7 of Pig.8; and Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a portion of the atomizer shown inFig. 6.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 designates liquidgas separatingapparatus including atomizing means embodying the invention. The samecomprises a storage tank 11 for receiving the degasified liquid andwhich is provided with a communicating atomizing chamber 12. The chamber12 includes a top wall 13 on which is mounted a condenser and gas vent14. The tank 11 is provided at its lower portion with an outlet l5 fordrawing off the degasified liquid, and an overow pipe 15a.

Raw liquid to be degasified, is introduced into the upper end of chamber12 by means of a supply line 16 which is connected to one branch 17a ofa cross pipe tting 17 which is mounted on the top wall 13 of the cham.-ber through another branch 17b. An atomizer 18 depends from the underside of wall 13, projecting into chamber 12 and communicating at itsupper end with branch 17b of fitting 17. A supply line 19 which isconnected to branch 17e of fitting 17, is adapted to introduce anotherstream of liquid into atomizer 18 for degasification.

As shown in Fig. 3, the atomizer 18 comprises a plurality of similar,vertically superposed, cylindrical outer sleeves 20. Each of the sleevesis formed with radially extending ears 21 which may be aligned toreceive bolts for securing the sleeves together. Each of the sleeves 20is also formed with a plurality of suitably spaced, parallel slots ororifices 22 extending about the periphery thereof. The orifices 22comprise vertical, outwardly diverging side walls 23, as shown in Fig.4. The angle between each pair of orifice walls may be between about 30and 60. Each of the orifices may have a maximum transverse dimension ofabout 0.25 inch.

The topmost sleeve 20 is bolted to a flanged, annular adapter member 24,which in turn is bolted to an annular rim member 25. The rim member 25is disposed within an opening 25a formed in top wall 13 and securedtherein by welding or the like. The flanged portion of branch 17b of thefitting 17 is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface of member25. A deector ring 26 is mounted on the outer surface of each sleeve 20and includes an upwardly and outwardly extending portion 26a disposedopposite orifices 22, for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

A circular disc 27 closes off the lower end of the lowermost sleeve 20.The disc 27 is formed with an axial opening in which is mounted abearing 28. A shaft 29 is axially disposed within sleeves 20, with itslower end slidably received in the bearing 28. The upper end of theshaft 29 extends through the annular member 25 and projects into theinterior of the fitting 17 where it is connected to a coaxial shaft 30.

The shaft 30 extends upwardly through the branch 17d of fitting 17 andis connected to a pressure responsive, spring loaded, diaphragm typeactuating device 31. The lower end of the device 31 is bolted orotherwise attached to the fianged portion of the fitting branch 17d. Itis apparent that the shaft 29 is adapted to be moved axially withrespect to sleeves 20 upon operation of the device 31.

Mounted in the adapter member 24 is a deflector 33 which comprises anaxial hub portion 34 formed with a through opening through which shaft29 freely passes. Extending radially from the hub 34 are a plurality ofsimilar, equiangularly disposed vanes 35. The vanes may be of thepropeller type and have surfaces 36 inclined to the horizontal. Theleading edge of one vane may be in substantial vertical alignment withrear edge of an adjacent vane. The outer ends of vanes 35 are welded orotherwise secured to the inner surface of a cylindrical sleeve 37. Theouter surface of sleeve 37 is fixed to the inner surface of the adaptermember 24 by welding or the like.

Fixed on the shaft 29, in spaced longitudinal arrangement thereon, are aplurality of similar defiector members 4t). The deflectors 46 eachcomprise a hub portion 41 fixed to a predetermined portion of shaft 29and a plurality of vanes 42 extending radially thereof. The vanes 42 aresimilar to vanes 35, hereinbefore described, and are similarly disposedrelative to hub 41. The outer ends of vanes 42 on each of the deflectors40 are secured to the inner surface of a cylindrical inner sleeve 43.The inner sleeves 43 are concentric with the outer sleevesr20, the outersurfaces of sleeves 43 slidably contacting the inner surfaces of thesleeves 20.

The deflectors 40 are arranged on shaft 29 so that in one position ofthe shaft, the orifices 22 in each of the outer sleeves 20 are coveredor substantially covered by the inner sleeve 43 on one of the deectors40. It is apparent that upon axial movement of the shaft, the orificesare progressively covered or uncovered, depending upon the direction ofmovement of the shaft. The eiective size of the orices 22 may beaccordingly regulated upon controlled operation of the actuating device31. The deliectors il may be so positioned on shaft 21! as to providefor orifice openings in one sleeve 2t? of a size different from that ofthe orifices in another sleeve 20, upon axial movement of the shaft 29to a given position.

Means is provided for automatically controlling the operation of theactuating device 31 and thereby regulating the effective size of theorifices 22 in sleeves Ztl. To this end, the storage tank 11 is'provided with a float operated level device 45 which may be connected bya mechanical linkage 46 to suitable valve operating means on a valve 47interposed in the inlet line 16. The upper end of the actuating device31 is connected to the line 1o between the valve 47 and the fitting 17by a conduit 4d. The pressure on the diaphragm in device 31 may beequalized by means of a conduit 4de interconnecting the lower end of thedevice 31 with the upper end of the chamber 12.

Steam is brought into the chamber 12 by means ot an inlet 49, as shownin Fig. 2. Such inlet is connected` to an annular steam chest Stidisposed within the storage tank 11 opposite the lower end of thechamber. The chest 50 is provided on its inner periphery with a sawtoothoutlet 51. A conical batlie 52 is mounted within the lower end ofchamber 12 and includes a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 53which is disposed concentrically within the annular chest 50. A conicalbaffle Y 54 is also mounted within chamber 12 with its lower portionoverlapping the upper portion of balile 52. A circular baffle plate 55having an upwardly extending rim 56, is mounted within the lower portionof the baie 54, by means of angle members 56a.

It will be apparent that in the operation of the apparatus shown inFigs. 1 4, the flow of raw liquid through line 16 is controlled throughvalve 47 which is operated through the float operated level device 4S,which in turn is controlled by the level of the treated liquid in thestorage tank 11. Also, the pressure in line 16 between valve 47 andfitting 17 controls the operation of the actuating device, which in turndetermines the relative axial position of shaft 29, thereby controllingthe eliective size of the orifices 22 in the atomizer 18.

A stream of raw liquid passing from the line 16 to the fitting 17towards the atomizer 18, will impinge on the iixed deector 33. Thestream will be deflected in substantially transverse directions by thevanes 3S which will impart a spinning, spiralling movement to thedeflected stream. The spun liquid will pass spirally downward throughthe successive deectors 40. Here the liquid stream contacts the vanes 42where the stream is again spun outwardly and has a substantialtangential cornponent imparted thereto.

The liquid then spins through the portions of the orifices 22 in sleeves20 which are left exposed by the inner sleeves 43. As a result, theliquid will leave the atomizer in extremely finely subdivided form andwill produce in effect a cloudlike formation within the charnber 12. Asthe finely divided particles of liquid leave the atomizer, they aredellected upwardly towards the top wall 13 of the chamber by means ofthe deector rings 26.

The steam entering through inlet 49, at a substantial velocity, passesthrough the outlet 51 and rises upwardly through chamber 12 in atortuous path due to the baffles 52, 54 and 55. The steam reaches theupper portion of the chamber in a highly agitated state and quicklyintermingles with the iloating, linely divided particles of liquid. Theparticles then become highly agitated and reach their boiling pointalmost instantaneously. As a consequence, gases entrained in the liquid,such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or other volatiles notcondensahle at the temperature of the steam, are

separated from the liquid very rapidly and in substantial amount. Theseparated gases or other volatiles are removed through the condenser andvent 14 or may be collected in any suitable manner.

After separation of the gases from the liquid particles, the degasiiiedmaterial falls downwardly until it reaches the baffle plate and thebaiiies 52, 54 which are heated by the steam from chest Sil. The liquidparticles are quickly coalesced upon contact with the heated battleplates and baiiles. As the liquid particles impinge on the heatedsurfaces, a further boiling action may take place and thereby effectfurther separation of residual gases which may be still present in theliquid.

The lower portion 53 of baille 52 is immersed in gas free liquid whichhas passed down through the battles and overiiows over the steam chest50 to be received in tank 1l. This in effect forms a liquid seal for thelower end of the chamber 12.

lt has been found that with the atomizer of the instant invention, gascontaining liquid may be so iinely subdivided as to produce a cloudlikeformation of particles. Such particles, upon agitation due to contactwith steam, boil almost instantaneously, thus producing an unusuallyhigh degree of gas separation. Accordingly, gas separation may beeffected without the use of conventional auxiliary equipment such as gasscrubbers, trays or other secondary treatment.

Various gases including carbon dioxide and ammonia, as well as oxygen,may be removed from the treated liquid. ln the case of liquids which arepretreated with chemicals which leave a residue of carbon dioxide ineither free or combined form, atomization of such liquid results in anefficient separation of the gas content therefrom.

The orifices 22 in sleeves Ztl are sell cleaning since the axialmovement or" the inner sleeves 43 is eliective in removing any incrustedsolids which may collect on the inner surfaces of the sleeves Ztl underconditions of liquid atomization.

ln the case of gas containing liquids at relatively low pressure, suchas steam boiler condensate, such liquid, which may enter the atomizer 18through a line 19, may have its velocity increased in order to insureproper atomization. As shown in Fig. 5, this is accomplished by makingthe deector 33 rotatable. Accordingly, the hub 34 of the deflector isiixed to a hollow shaft 6l) which is rotatably mounted on shaft 29. Theshaft 6l) may be supported by means of a spider 60u mounted within tting17. A bevel gear 61 is fixed to the upper end of shaft 6G and mesheswith a bevel gear 62 iixed on one end of a horizontally disposedrotatable shaft 63 which is mounted in a suitably packed bearing 64 in a`Hall portion of fitting 17. The shalt 63 is adapted to be rotate bymeans not shown, thereby rotating the deiiector 33. Such an arrangementwill increase the velocity of approach of: the liquid as it is spuntowards the orices 2?. in the sleeves 2li.

The rotation of deliector 33 is also effective to increase the velocityof approach of liquids having a relatively high viscosity. lt isunderstood that deiiectors 4t) may also be arranged for rotational aswell as axial movement, by suitable mechanical means, thereby furtherincreasing the velocity ot approach of the liquid passing through theatomizer.

The atomizer embodying the invention may be provided in moditied form,as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Thus, the atomizer generally designated at7@ comprises a mounting plate 71 which may be suitably fitted in anopening in a wall of an atomizing chamber. The plate '71 supports a rawliquid inlet 72 which includes a downwardly extending vertical portion73 and a short horizontal portion 74. An atomizer head 75 is threaded oninlet portion 74 and includes an enlarged end portion 76.

Atomizer portion 76 is formed with a vertically extending cylindricalchamber 77 having a constrict'ed opening 78 at the bottom thereofforming an orifice and a threaded opening at the top thereof forreceiving a bushing 79. A valve stem 80 is vertically mounted forrotation on plate 71 by means of a handle 81. The stem 80 ncludes atapered portion 82 intermediate the ends thereof which is adapted toengage a seat 83 formed on the upper surface of bushing 79, and an endportion 84 of reduced diameter which passes through chamber 77 and intightly fitting engagement with orifice 78 for guiding the movement ofthe stem.

The atomizer head 75 is further formed with a short, horizontallyextending, constricted passage 85 which communicates with chamber 77. Asshown in Fig. 8, the relative dimensions and location of passage 85 andchamber 77 are such that the passage is tangentially disposed relativeto the chamber.

It will be apparent that raw liquid entering the atomizer by way ofinlet 72 will pass by way of passage 85 into chamber 77 and will bedeflected in an upward direction while at the same time the deflectedliquid stream is swirled as it passes through the opening or orifice inbushing 79 to form a very finely divided spray of atomized particles.The atomization may be regulated by suitable rotation of handle 81, tovary the relationship between stem portion 82 and seat 83. It has beenfound that the atomized spray of liquid tends to approach thehorizontal, due to the swirling action of the atomizer head.

It is understood that the atomizers embodying the invention may be usedfor converting liquids other than water into very finely divided formfor whatever purpose desired.

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.46,284, filed August 26, 1948, now Patent No. 2,625,236.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an atomizer in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adaptedto meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the described inventionand as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth, it isto be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and berhaving an imperforate surface operative to regulate the size of saidorifices upon relative axial movement of said members, said other memberhaving an axial hub and a plurality of radially extending vanesinterconnecting such hub and the inner surface of said other member,said vanes including surfaces inclined relative to the axis of saidmembers.

2. Atomizing means comprising a pair of concentric telescoped,contacting tubular members, the outer member being formed with aplurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending orifices, theinner member having a circumferential imperforate wall surface, anaxially movable shaft axially disposed relative to said members, meansfor mounting said inner member on said shaft comprising a plurality ofradially extending Vanes interconnecting the inner surface of said innermember and said shaft, the wall surface of said inner member beingoperative to regulate the effective size of said orifices upon axialmovement of said shaft, said vanes having surface portions inclinedrelative to a plane passing transversely through the axis of saidmembers.

3. Atomizing means comprising a plurality of axially aligned outer,tubular sleeve members, each of said members being formed with aplurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending orifices, meansfor interconnecting said members, an axially movable shaft disposedaxially of said outer members, a plurality of axially spaced, innertubular sleeve members mounted on said shaft, each inner member having acircumferential outer imperforate surface portion in contact with theinner surface of an associated outer member for regulating the effectivesize of said orifices upon axial movement of said shaft, and radiallyextending deilector means extending from the inner surface of each ofsaid inner members to said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS538,008 Burns Apr. 23, 1895 704,374 Raymond July 8, 1902 1,289,779Howard Dec. 31, 1918 1,383,404 Kirgan July 5, 1921 1,790,970 BraybrooksFeb. 3, 1931 2,043,378 Igorashi et al. June 9, 1936 2,092,846 HutchinsonSept. 14, 1937 2,247,897 Wahlin July l, 1941 2,501,736 Olsen Mar. 28,1950 2,503,723 Gothard Apr. 11, 1950 2,595,759 Buckland et al. May 6,1952 2,602,002 Schutt July 1, 1952 2,625,236 Rhinehart et al. Jan. 13,1953

